2c 


62d Congress, 
1st Session. 


SENATE. 


j Document 
j No. 9. 


RELATIONS WITH JAPAN. 


REPORT OF THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN PEACE 
SOCIETY OF JAPAN, HELD IN THE FOREIGN BOARD OF TRADE 
ROOMS AT YOKOHAMA ON MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1911. 


Presented by Mr. Jones. 


April 17, 1911.—Ordered to be printed. 


American Citizens and the Peace Movement. 

FORMATION OF PEACE SOCIETY AT AN INFLUENTIAL MEETING IN 

YOKOHAMA. 


[Speeches by Mr. D. H. Blake, Ambassador O'Brien, Mr. J. R. Kennedy, Rev. T. Rose- 

berry Good, and Mr. H. E. Cole.] 


January 31. 

A large and influential meeting of American citizens resident in 
Japan was held at the offices of the Yokohama Foreign Board of 
Trade last evening for the purpose of forming a society with the 
object of combating, as far is possible, the rumors prevalent from 
time to time of ill feeling between the United States and Japan, of 
promoting friendly relations between the two powers, and thus fur¬ 
thering the cause of international peace. This general meeting of 
American citizens was called, after several months of careful investi¬ 
gation and correspondence, by a promoting committee of 20 Ameri¬ 
cans residing in the important centers of Japan and representing the 
professional, missionary, and business groups. The meeting was 
thoroughly representative, including, in addition to His Excellency 
Thomas O’Brien, America’s ambassador in Tokyo, representatives of 
the diplomatic and consular bodies, representatives of the church, of 
missionary and educational institutions, and the leaders of American 
business houses, as well as many ladies. Mr. D. H. Blake, one of the 
leading business men in Yokohama, presided, and in a telling speech 
advocated the necessity of American citizens taking steps to organize 
for the purpose of combating the attempts made from time to time 

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2 


* RELATIONS WITH JAPAN. 


J? V 

to disturb the friendly relations between Japan and the United 
States, and thus promoting international peace. Speeches Avere also 
delivered by the American ambassador. His Excellency Thomas J. 
O'Brien; Mr. J. Russell Kennedy, representing the organizing com¬ 
mittee ; Re\ r . T. Roseberry Good, B. A.,pastor of Union Church, Yoko¬ 
hama ; and Mr. H. E. Cole, as representing the business section of 
the community. 

The proposed constitution was adopted, with a slight amendment, 
namely, the change of the name of the society to “ The American 
Peace Society of Japan,’’ and the following officers for the ensuing 
year Avere unanimously elected: President, Mr. D. H. Blake; vice 
presidents, Mr. E. W. Frazar, Prof. H. S. Terry, Mr. B. C. HoAvard, 
ReA\ T. Roseberry Good, and Dr. D. C. Greene; honorable secretary, 
Mr. Gilbert BoAvles; honorable treasurer, Mr. J. R. Geary. The 
president, treasurer, and secretary, AA 7 ith five persons chosen by them, 
will constitute an executUe committee. The society opened with a 
charter membership of 180 from all parts of Japan and Chosen. 

Resolutions were adopted, on the motion of Mr. H. E. Cole, ex¬ 
pressing the opinion that the people of Japan have at all times enter¬ 
tained the most friendly and cordial sentiments toward the Govern¬ 
ment and people of the United States, and that there is not to be 
found in the Japanese Empire any Avish or thought other than to 
maintain the most friendly relations, and pledging the society to do 
its best to give publicity to the sentiments expressed. 

This concluded the business, and after a large number of ladies and 
gentlemen had been enrolled as members a very successful meeting 
came to an end. 

The meeting AA T as called to order shortly after 5 o’clock by Mr. 
D. H. Blake, Avith whom was his excellency the American ambassa¬ 
dor. There Avere also present ReA 7 . G. F. Draper, D. D., and Mrs. 
Draper; ReA 7 . H. W. ScliAvartz, M. D., and Mrs. Schwartz; Rev. and 
Mrs. IT. Loomis; Paymaster Holt, United States Navy, and Mrs. 
Holt: Mr. and Mrs. ,T. C. Goold; Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Steiner; Mrs. 

D. H. Blake; Mrs. Loomis; Mrs. Van Petten; Miss Crosby; Miss 
Cummings; Miss A. G. LeAvis; Miss Edith Sharpless; Miss Slate; 
Miss Woodward; Miss M. K. Seeds; Miss A. F. Thompson; Rev. 
T. Roseberry Good, B. A., pastor of Yokohama Union Church; Rev. 

E. S. Booth, M. A.; ReA 7 . J. JT. Ballagh, D. D.; Rev. D. Greene, 
D. D.; Rev. D. S. Spencer, D. D.; Rca\ J. Soper, D. D.; Rev. Clay 
McCauley; Rev. W. B. Parshley; Dr. John Ballagh; Mr. E. G. 
Babbitt, United States vice consul general at Yokohama; Mr. C. J. 


Arnell, secretary in the United States embassy; Prof. Terry; Prof. 
A. Wood; Messrs. F. W. Horne, H. E. Cole, S. Isaacs, B. C. HoAvard, 
J. Russell Kennedy, J. S. Flapper, D. MacKenzie, F. S. Booth, J. IF. 
Allison, Capt. Swain, Paul Messer, W. R. Devin, R. J. Archer, W. R. 
Matteson, E. C. Jones, J. M. D. Gardiner, H. M. Nock, L. A. Wilson, 
I.. N. Rider, R. D. Read, F. I. Blake, G. S. Summerlin, R. F. Moss, 
P. Whiteing, R. J. Archer, A. T. WoodAvard, B. W. Fleisher, J. R. 
Gearv, F. H. Tanner, E. Thorp, Prof. Cady, and Gilbert Bowles, 
secretary of the convening committee, etc. 

The chairman explained that in the absence from Japan of Mr. 
E. W. Frazar, chairman of the promoting committee, he had been 
requested to call the meeting to order, and asked that some one he 
appointed to preside that evening. 


RELATIONS WITH JAPAN. 


3 


On the motion of the Rev. Dr. Greene, seconded by Prof. Clay Mc¬ 
Cauley, Mr. Blake was unanimously requested to preside and Mr. 
Gilbert Bowles was asked to act as secretary of the meeting. 

THE chairman’s OPENING SPEECH. 

The chairman, addressing the meeting, said: 

Your excellency, ladies, and gentlemen : The purpose for which this meeting is 
called requires no special introduction. The promoting committee, which has 
been at work for several months, has endeavored to communicate with every 
American citizen resident in Japan and Korea, and the number and character 
of responses have been so encouraging that they have felt warranted in con¬ 
vening this meeting. 

Peace societies have existed in the United States for many years, and they 
number among their members some of the most prominent men and women in 
the country. Statesmen, lawyers, clergymen, and educators have recognized 
that peace was a most essential element in the development and prosperity of 
the Nation, and it was a patriotic duty of every citizen to work to this end. 
Our President, notwithstanding that he at one time held the apparently anoma¬ 
lous position of Secretary of War, and even now is urging the fortification of 
the Panama Canal, is still one of the strongest advocates for peace of which 
the world can boast. Ever since he assumed the reins of government he lias 
recommended, indorsed, and approved every movement that has had for its 
object the settlement of international disputes through courts of arbitration. 
Only recently the Newfoundland fishery question, which for several decades lias 
been a subject of dispute between Great Britain and the United States, has been 
settled by arbitration to the satisfaction of both and without loss of national 
honor to either country. The settlement of this particular case will undoubt¬ 
edly have a most important bearing on arbitration in the future, since, if these 
two great nations could settle such an important and long-standing dispute in 
a friendly manner, it is difficult to conceive of any question arising between any 
two countries which can not be similarly treated, if the parties interested hon¬ 
estly desire a peaceful solution. 

Our President is now endeavoring to negotiate a treaty with Great Britain 
having for its object the settlement of all disputes by arbitration, even those 
involving national honor, and if he succeeds, as we all hope will be the case, his 
name will be a household word in America for generations yet to come. Fortu¬ 
nately the President is strongly supported by public opinion on this important 
subject, since there are thousands upon thousands of prominent men in America 
who have had personal experience of the horrors of war and who now appreciate 
the blessings of peace. Among such men is His Excellency Mr. O'Brien, our 
ambassador to Japan, who honors us with his presence this afternoon. Since 
his appointment to his present high post, his public utterances on this subject, 
whether in the United States or in Japan, have been directed toward the re¬ 
moval of difficulties and the clearing up of misunderstandings, and his position 
has been so frank and so unequivocal as to have earned for him the respect of 
the Japanese and the admiration of his own countrymen. 

As regards the position of Americans in Japan on the subject of peace, i( has 
been difficult up to this time to form an opinion ; while our numbers are not 
great, our places of residence are scattered and our avocations so varied that 
it has been impossible to obtain any general consensus of opinion. As far as 
the missionary bodies are concerned, it would be natural to presume that they 
are peacefully inclined, but as to the business element a different opinion seems 
to have existed. If newspaper reports are to be credited, the opinion has been 
held by one high in authority that we entertain feelings of animosity toward 
Japan and that we have stirred up strife between his country and our own. 
If this belief does exist, it is certainly most incorrect, and a meeting such as this 
offers an appropriate opportunity for denying it. which I do with the greatest 
possible emphasis, and I am sure my remarks will carry the indorsement of all 
other business men who are present this afternoon. 

I would say in conclusion that it is the hope of the committee that a strong 
organization may be formed, which, acting independently or in cooperation with 
the Japanese society, may lend its influence toward a better understanding be¬ 
tween Japan and America and the preservation of peace, which is so mani¬ 
festly in the interests of both countries. 


V 


4 


RELATIONS WITH JAPAN. 


ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION. 

The chairman, again rising, said the next business before the meet¬ 
ing was the adoption of the constitution of the proposed society, 
which reads as follows: 


Article I.— Name and Location. 

The name of this society shall be The Peace Society of Americans Resident 
in Japan, and the central office shall be located in Tokyo. 

Article II.— Object. 


The object of this society shall be the promotion of international peace and 
good will. 


Article III.— Membership. 


Section 1. Any American citizen resident in Japan, including all outlying pos¬ 
sessions, may become a member of this society by making written request and 
paying the membership fee. 

Sec. 2. Any American who has resided in Japan may become a corresponding 
member upon expressing a willingness to cooperate with the society. 

Article IV.— Scope of Work. 


This society may engage in the following lines of work: 

(a) Circulating literature, utilizing the press, and opening public lecture 
meetings for the purpose of giving facts and creating sentiment supporting the 
world-wide peace movement. 

(&) Carrying on correspondence and exchanging reports with peace societies 
in America and other lands, and with the International Peace Bureau at Berne, 
Switzerland. 

(c) Cooperating with the Japan Peace Society, the Oriental Peace Society, 
and kindred organizations in influencing public opinion and carrying on educa¬ 
tional peace work. 

( d ) Investigating and reporting upon special questions. 


Article V.— Officers. 

The officers of this society shall be a president, four or more vice presidents, 
a treasurer, and secretary, who shall be elected annually. 

The president, treasurer, and secretary, together with three persons chosen 
by these officers, shall constitute an executive committee. 


Article VI.— Finances. 

This society shall be supported by membership fees, which shall be 1 yen per 
year per regular member, 25 yen for life membership, and by special contri¬ 
butions. 

Article VII.— Meetings. 

A general meeting shall be held once a year at such a time and place as may 
be arranged by the executive committee. Special meetings may be arranged 
for by the executive committee. 

Article VIII.— Amendments. 

This constitution may be amended by a tw T o-thirds vote at any annual meeting. 

Copies of this proposed constitution (continued the chairman) had 
already been sent to every American citizen in Japan and Korea, as 
far as the committee were able to trace them. The only alteration 
the promoting committee suggested was that the name of the society 
be changed from “ The Peace Society of Americans Resident in 


RELATIONS WITH JAPAN. 


5 


Japan ” to ‘‘The American Peace Society of Japan.” The title was 
a little shorter and a little more euphonious. 

The Rev. G. F. Draper moved, and Prof. Terry seconded, that the 
constitution as submitted, with the change in the name of the society, 
be adopted. 

The Rev. T. Roseberry Good suggested with reference to the second 
paragraph of Article V that the executive committee be composed of 
five persons in addition to the president, secretary, and treasurer, 
instead of three, as proposed. The executive committee would have 
control of the work and would practically voice the opinions of 
American citizens in Japan, and for this reason it should be as thor¬ 
oughly representative as possible. 

Mr. Good’s suggestion having been accepted by the mover and 
seconder, the constitution as amended was put to the meeting and 
unanimously adopted. 


ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 

The next business was the election of officers, and for the purpose 
of expediting matters a committee was appointed to bring forward 
nominations. This committee comprised the following: Messrs. J. R. 
Kennedy (chairman), B. C. Howard, H. E. Cole, Dr. Greene, and 
Mr. S. Isaacs. On the return of the committee, after a very brief 
absence, the following officers were suggested for the ensuing year: 
President, Mr. D. H. Blake; vice presidents, Mr. E. W. Frazar, Prof. 
H. T. Terry, Mr. B. C. Howard, Rev. T. Roseberry Good, and Dr. 
D. C. Greene; honorable secretary, Mr. Gilbert Bowles; honorable 
treasurer. Mr. J. R. Gearv. 

j 

SPEECH BY MR. KENNEDY. 

In proposing these officers, Mr. Kennedy, at the request of the pro¬ 
moting committee, explained to the meeting the views of the com¬ 
mittee on the work they had undertaken. He said: 

We have to-day enlisted ourselves in an army pledged to the cause of the 
promotion of peace, of international conciliation, and the prevention of useless 
war. We can not hope that to-morrow the voice of the mischief-maker and the 
arduous labor of the propagandist will be silenced or will cease, but we may 
hope that the voice of Americans resident in Japan will to-morrow make itself 
heard in the homes and felt in the hearts of their fellow countrymen across 
the Pacific. We may believe that this reinforcement will be welcomed by the 
already mustered forces throughout the civilized world. 

Within the last few years this great movement has grown until its effective¬ 
ness has been marked. Within this time I believe war itself, with all its hide¬ 
ous injustices and its necessary inhumanities, has, in fact, been averted because 
of the indirect influence of the forces opposed to unnecessary war. True, 
powerful and more powerful armies and navies have played, as they always 
must play, their part in the prevention of war, but we must not underrate this 
other great and humane influence. 

America has taken, and is taking, the foremost place in this movement. The 
cynic and the thoughtless may sneer at or babble at the “ peace movement,” 
but, sir, this committee of yours asks the membership of this organization to 
mark well recent developments. Within a few weeks, almost just as the old 
year was going out and a new and better year waited on the threshold, an 
American, practical and businesslike, an American who had risen from poverty 
almost to untold wealth, has financed this war for peace to the amount of ten 
millions of gold dollars. It is possibly the greatest gift and the greatest endow¬ 
ment that Andrew Carnegie has ever made. Not only that, sir, but we find 
upon the roll of trustees, who have accepted the responsibility for the proper 


6 


RELATIONS WITH JAPAN. 


expenditure of tliis huge sum, the names of William H. Taft, the President of 
the United States of America; Elihu Root, ex-Secretary of State, practical 
man and one of the greatest statesmen America has ever known. We find 
others of that class. Are we ashamed to enroll our names alongside of these, 
or shall we apologize for so doing to those who laugh at scars but never felt a 
wound ? 

A great banker of New York, Frank A. Vanderlip, a great thinker, too, said 
the other day: “ There is no excuse for war and the immense expenditure it 
entails for ironclads and armies; but how to obviate it I do not know; the 
problem is. I think, the most important Mr. Carnegie has ever undertaken to 
solve. The only thing I can suggest is that we keep hammering away on the 
public opinion of the world. Set the best writers and thinkers at work upon it. 
Money will always buy brains, and public opinion is the greatest force.” 

The great French economist, Edmund Thery, figures that the maintenance of 
Europe's armed peace footing in the last 25 years has cost twenty-nine billions 
of dollars gold. Mark you, that is the peace footing of Europe. The public 
debt of European nations in the last 25 years has increased by twenty-four bil¬ 
lions of dollars gold. And the people of those countries are paying the toll. Not 
only this, but the maintenance of this peace footing has withdrawn and excluded 
from productive labor nearly four millions of men. Why go further? The duty 
of men and women to-day is plain. Peace we must have. Not peace at the 
price of honor, not peace by reason of duty shirked, but peace consequent upon 
the highest reason and the broadest thought. It is a common duty to assist in 
the emancipation of all nations from the slavery that the menace of war im¬ 
poses, and from the overhanging pall of such a catastrophe as befell upon the 
plains of Manchuria but a few years ago. That, I believe, ladies and gentlemen, 
is the view of the committee on which I have the honor to serve; and I can only 
hope that under the officers whose names we have placed before you. and with 
such a membership as has enrolled itself to-night, the work we may do in the 
cause of this peace movement may be favored and strengthened. 

There being no other nominations, the officers as proposed were 
declared duly elected, amidst applause. 

The chairman, on behalf of his colleagues, returned thanks for the 
honor shown them by the meeting and assured those present that the 
officers of the society would do their best to promote the movement 
which had been so happily started that afternoon. 

LARGE NUMBER OF MEMBERS ENROLLED. 

The chairman mentioned that a large number of Americans resi¬ 
dent in Japan and Korea had already been enrolled as members of 
the society, and suggested that those present who had not become 
members should join that afternoon. 

In reply to a question, the chairman stated that ladies were eligible 
for membership. 

A large number of ladies and gentlemen were forthwith enrolled 
as members. 

SPEECH BY AMBASSADOR O BRIEN. 


His Excellency Thomas J. O’Brien, United States ambassador, 
who was invited by the chairman to address the gathering, was 
greeted with loud applause. In opening the ambassador said a good 
deal of what he had to say would savor somewhat of repetition of 
what the chairman had already said, but as that speech contained 
so much that was good, he thought the audience would be willing to 
bear with a little repetition. Proceeding, Mr. O’Brien said: 

It seemed to me when I first learned of the intention of American citizens in 
Japan to organize such a society as this that a most excellent work had been 
undertaken. There is no other source so good, no other source so effective as 
witnesses from the scene; and what you, as citizens of the United States resi¬ 
dent in Japan for many years, have observed and learned should be accepted at 


RELATIONS WITH JAPAN. 


7 


its face value in the United States, regardless of what might be said by other 
people who obtain their views on the Continent of Europe. It is quite possible 
there are many causes prompted by people who are seltish and greedy, causes 
of which we know little, which go to make up a false public opinion as regards 
the relations between Japan and the United States. It is easy to startle people 
by extraordinary statements; it is certainly easy to startle them in the United 
States. We are a sentimental people, easily excited, with emotions very close to 
the surface; and between public opinion of a few years ago and the public 
opinion of to-day there is a considerable, but not, I hope, serious, difference. 
It is a little difficult to understand from what source this agitation proceeds. 
But it must run its course, as most things do. and out of it will come the truth 
and the result we all hope for. It is in connection with disseminating these 
truths that your organization can be useful, because after all. while the people 
of the United States are anxious for news, anxious for something startling, at 
bottom they love the truth, and in the end they will come right side up in 
respect to this. Let me assure you, Mr. President, ladies, and gentlemen—and 
I ought to know something about it—that there is no cause under the sun 
why there should be distrust between the people of these two countries. There 
are no questions of importance pending and no business being conducted dip¬ 
lomatically which should excite the suspicions or make the slightest trouble 
as between the two peoples. In the absence of something more startling, and 
judging, perhaps, civilization by recent past history, it was easy to make our 
people think that Japan was a bloodthirsty nation; that it wanted territory 
and wanted war with the United States. I think this idea is being gradually 
worn out, and that with the advent of peaceful sentiments, and with those 
sentiments being stimulated, as pointed out by Mr. Kennedy, confidence will be 
restored and the idea of suspecting our neighbors will be a thing of the past. 
There is no ground for fear that this cause will not win. Since the end of the 
Napoleonic wars in 1815 nearly 250 international controversies have been 
submitted to arbitration, and there have been 40 during the past 10 years. We 
are at the close of the first decade of a new century, and we would be doing 
badly indeed if, with our boasted civilization, the century should proceed very 
much further without having accomplished this great purpose. In the begin¬ 
ning of things you know the strongest man was the winner, but by degrees 
civilization cured that. To-day the civil courts and the officers of *the courts are 
able to give to those who have controversies with their neighbors such remedies 
and such satisfaction as they are entitled to receive. The nations can do the 
same, and nations will do the same in the near future. As has been pointed 
out, one of the most difficult and long standing of controversies between Great 
Britain and the United States has during the past year been settled success¬ 
fully. This dispute in the past has involved much feeling, much recrimination, 
and declaration as to the respective rights of the parties concerned, but happily 
the question was submitted to men of brains and of thought—men who had no 
direct interest in the controversy—and the decision seems to have been satis¬ 
factory. Both sides to arbitration will not be pleased with the decision 
reached—one side is very likely to be disappointed—but in the case of nations, 
as in the case of individuals, one of the controversialists will have to submit, 
and public opinion of all of the world, having no immediate interest in the 
particular controversy, will see they do submit. The step from the local to the 
national and from the national to the international is a very short and a very 
easy one. It is a significant anomaly in the history of nations that they are 
willing, with the best of their youth and the flower of their country, to go to 
battle, suffering death and loss of money, and to think that they have accom¬ 
plished glorious things. The chances might be about even that the dispute will 
in the end be settled wrong. It has been so in the past, and I doubt whether 
the world with all its wars has advanced one iota in its march toward civiliza¬ 
tion. It is strange with what alacrity, with what activity, and at what expense 
we try to stop the rage of pestilence and disease in our midst, and yet, except in 
an indirect way, as it affects individuals, the hundreds of thousands lost in 
battle are hardly thought of; the combatants die in a glorious cause. Ladies 
and gentlemen, I deny that a cause which takes human life in that way is a 
glorious one. The controversies submitted to arbitration will at least have 
brought to their elucidation the intellects of trained lawyers and men of 
prominence drawn from all the nations who constitute the court and who 
have no earthly interest in the outcome. It will be a sad thing, indeed, if 
this generation shall fail to take advantage of the sentiments now fast accruing 
and shall fail to accomplish this work of peace. 


8 


RELATIONS WITH JAPAN. 


SPEECH BY REV. T. R. GOOD. 

The Rev. T. Roseberry Good, who was next invited by the chair¬ 
man to address the meeting, was greeted with loud applause. He 
said : 

Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ambassador, ladies, and gentlemen, it seems to me that 
this meeting might congratulate itself if for no other reason than because it 
has beeen instrumental in calling forth such a straightforward and emphatic 
speech as that just delivered by our worthy ambassador. 

We are accustomed to think that those who are engaged in the Diplomatic 
Service hardly dare to speak definitely on subjects of great public importance; 
but in the speech just delivered by our national representative we have listened 
to statements as strong, as definite, and as hopeful as any that we could hear 
from any other source. In a book published this winter by Mr. Choate, giving 
a series of addresses delivered in England, the author says in the preface that 
when he received his credentials to the Court of St. James the only instruction 
he received from President McKinley was to do all that he could to advance 
the interests of both countries by cultivating the most friendly relations 
between them. It seems to me, my friends, that that is not only a splendid 
principle for the Diplomatic Service, but it also suggests a working principle 
that ought to be in the mind of every American citizen living in a foreign 
country. We pride ourselves on our citizenship, but let us not forget that 
the privileges of citizenship also carry responsibility; and if that is true in 
the homeland, it is infinitely more true when, in a strange land, whether we will 
or not. we are everyone of us acting as representative citizens. At the present 
time we are witnessing encouraging signs in the advancement of the cause 
of peace. Reference has already been made to that splendid benefaction of 
Mr. Andrew Carnegie. The members of the committee appointed to take 
charge of the fund have indicated that they have very clear and definite ideas 
as to how to crystallize public opinion and how to make the sentiments a 
working force for promoting the objects they have in view. They have already 
suggested that they will, endeavor to secure the codification of international 
law, which in itself would be a great thing toward advancing the peace of 
the world. At the present time there is no international law. There are 
international precedents which any country may disregard at its caprice or 
whenever it seems to its advantage so to do. But the codification of inter¬ 
national law will go far toward establishing international justice. The com¬ 
mittee are also going to work upon the project of instituting a court of 
arbitration at The Hague, from which there will be no appeal—a court of ar¬ 
bitration which will be recognized as sovereign' in international affairs just 
as literally as the Supreme Court of the United States is recognized in our 
civil affairs. The committee are going further than this. They are going 
to endeavor to promote a scientific study of the circumstances "from which 
wars originate, and especially to study those uneasy places in international 
relations that furnish a continual possibility and a continual danger of war. 
These things are all hopeful and promise for the future even greater things 
in the cause of peace than have been heard of for decades past. It needs 
little argument to-day to show to the man who really thinks that war has 
utterly failed in its purpose. We have been told by a previous speaker of the 
immense cost of the wars fought even during the past few years. We have 
heard of the millions of men withdrawn from productive industry in order 
that they might be fed by the sweat of other men’s brows; we have heard 
something of the financial burdens that are piled upon nations, until some 
of them are almost on the verge of bankruptcy—taxation spread over years 
and mortgaging the industrial capacities of the people; we have heard of all 
these things, and yet, after all. the wars that have taken place have demon¬ 
strated but one thing, as our ambassador has pointed out, namely, which 
side possessed the strongest army, and have failed to establish any principle 
of justice or of righteousness among men. We are living in an age of rapidly 
changing conditions. Our modern means of intercommunication make us ail 
near neighbors. What happens in Tokyo to-day is known in all the capitals 
of Europe possibly before midight; what takes place in one country soon 
becomes the common property of people in the next country; and to-day, more 
than ever before, countries are not ruled by kings upon their thrones, they 
are not ruled by Congresses and Parliaments; in the last analysis, in the 


RELATIONS WITH JAPAN. 


9 


greater part of the civilized world they are ruled by public opinion. After 
all. our worthy President and the rulers and governments of the world are 
simply endeavoring to understand in what direction public opinion is moving, 
and then to crystallize that opinion and to make it effective in the form of laws. 
To-day we are called upon to do our part in the most important function of 
helping to create the right kind of public opinion. It will be the business of 
this peace society to carry on an educational work—to educate the public mind 
in the ideas of a peaceful solution of national questions and to give expression 
to the peaceful aspirations of the majority of our citizens. It seems to me 
that in this country especially, with the many possibilities of misunderstand¬ 
ing that may occur, our function is a tremendously important one and ought 
to impose upon everyone of us, individually as well as collectively, a deep 
sense of responsibility for our words, for our actions, and for our living in 
promoting the interests of our Nation and upholding the honor of our flag. 
The United States has already entered into the great struggle of international 
commerce. With the opening of the Panama Canal that commerce will un¬ 
doubtedly show greater expansion, and with that expansion the causes of 
possible misunderstanding will inevitably be increased. It is therefore in¬ 
creasingly important that we in this country should be the interpreters to 
our Japanese friends of the kindly and friendly sentiments entertained by the 
majority of our people at home, and that we should also be the medium of in¬ 
terpreting to our fellow citizens in the United States a true knowledge of 
affairs as they actually exist in this country, in order that inflammatory and 
mischievous statements that are circulated for private and political advantage, 
perhaps, may be shorn of their dangerous power, and that the cause of peace, 
of righteousness, and of justice may be advanced. My friends, I congratulate 
this meeting and the American citizens resident in Japan upon the interest 
that has been shown in this great question. I believe this meeting gives 
promise of more useful work than any other that has been organized by us as 
American citizens within the last few years. 

RESOLUTIONS PROPOSED BY MR. II. E. COLE. 

Mr. H. E. Cole rose to submit to the meeting two important reso¬ 
lutions. He said: 

Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ambassador, ladies, and gentlemen, a large number of 
Americans residing in Japan desire to unite in the great movement devoted to 
the advancement of peace and good understanding among the nations now 
active through the civilized world, and to give effect to this desire have as¬ 
sembled on this occasion in the interest of their common purpose. It has 
come to our knowledge that in sections of the United States rumors have been 
circulated to the effect that public sentiment in Japan is hostile to the United 
States and that the Japanese Government entertains sinister purposes of a 
dangerous character. Many of the persons here assembled have resided in 
Japan for years, and, having extended acquaintance with people of different 
classes, are highly qualified to speak of their minds and purposes. Since the 
rumors in question are based upon misinformation, or, even worse, the hope 
of selfish advantage, in order to contribute, so far as our influence will extend, 
to the tranquillity so necessary among neighboring nations, we desire to unite 
In the following: 

“Resolved, That, in our opinion, the people of Japan have, at all times, en¬ 
tertained the most friendly and cordial sentiments toward the Government and 
people of the United States, and that there never has been, and is not now, any 
feeling other than one of confidence and gratitude. We believe, upon evidence 
which can not be doubted, there is not to be found in the Japanese Empire any 
wish or thought other than to maintain the most friendly and cordial relations 
with the Republic of the United States, and that any representations to the 
contrary, wherever emanating and from whatever cause proceeding, are base¬ 
less calumnies which, if uncontradicted, can only result in vast material losses 
to the people of both Governments and in creating an unhappy prejudice between 
them. 

“ Resolved , That, through the secretary of this society and through the en¬ 
deavors of its individual members, the greatest possible publicity be given to 
the foregoing sentiments.” 


10 


RELATIONS WITH JAPAN. 


Mr. B. C. Howard seconded the motion, which was put to the 
meeting and carried unanimously. 

This concluded the business of the meeting, and the chairman, in 
declaring the meeting at an end. thanked those present for attending 
in such large numbers. 

EDITORIAL COMMENT. 


[The Japan Times, Jan. 27.] 

A new force in what may be paradoxically called the fight for 
peace will, on Monday next, join the ranks of those who have worked 
so effectively for the last few years to promote peace and avoid war. 
.V meeting has been called, to be held in the Foreign Board of Trade 
rooms in Yokohama; and at this meeting what will be named the 
American Peace Society of Japan will be organized. It is announced 
that over 100 American residents of this country already have 
signified their desire to join the organization and there is reason 
to believe that before long most of the Americans here will be en- 
rolled. A most significant and a most welcome fact is that the 
American ambassador has signified his willingness to attend the 
meeting. No man or force of men could have done more to promote 
the friendly relations of Japan and America than Mr. O’Brien. He 
has, we believe, moved carefully, wisely, and well as an ambassador. 
He has impressed the people and officials of this country with his 
genuine desire to secure good understanding and thwart the forces 
of evil. We are glad to think that on this occasion the Americans 
resident in Japan—his fellow countrymen—will give their indorse¬ 
ment to him and his work. There is no new reason why additional 
evidence should l)e sought to prove the case against the mischief 
maker, but there always will be wisdom and reason in a movement 
that educates and that opens the eyes of ignorance to the evils of 
senseless misunderstanding. The Americans resident in Japan can 
go far to silence the voice of ignorance we hear so often and so loudly 
from the other side of the Pacific. To raise such unanimous voice 
probably will be regarded as the duty of patriotic Americans in 
Japan, and that it will be raised we have no doubt, for the American 
Peace Society can. in this way. best promote the cause of peace. We 
of Japan have confidence in the wisdom and the sound judgment, 
the fairness and the open-mindedness of the American people as a 
whole; hence we have no fear from America. It would come well 
and truthfully from Americans resident in Japan to tell their fellow 
countrymen that confidence may be placed by Americans in the com¬ 
mon sense and the honesty of Japan and that America has nothing 
to fear from us. We shall welcome the new peace society and wish 
it long life and increasing vigor. 


[The Japan Gazette, Feb. 3.] 

People have not yet ceased to talk of the organization meeting of 
the American Peace Society of Japan, and in that connection of the 
notably frank utterance of the American ambassador on the subject 
of international relations. Mr. Thomas O’Brien at that meeting 
took occasion, in the interests of peace, emphatically to state: 

Let me assure you, Mr. President, ladies, and gentlemen—and I ought to 
know something about it—that there is no cause under the sun why there 


RELATIONS WITH JAPAN. 


11 


should be distrust between the people of these two countries. There are no 
questions of importance pending, and no business being conducted diplomatic¬ 
ally which should excite the suspicions or make the slightest trouble as be¬ 
tween the two peoples. 


That parenthesis u and I ought to know something about it *’ was 
the delicate reminder and stamp of the diplomatic character of the 
speaker, and lent his words a special interest and value. We were 
glad to see that the point of this exceptional diplomatic frankness 
was promptly seized and appreciated by a member of the society 
present. Rev. Mr. Good, in following Mr. O'Brien, said: 


It seems to me that this meeting might congratulate itself if for no other 
reason than because it has been instrumental in calling forth such a straight¬ 
forward and emphatic speech as that just delivered by our worthy ambassador. 
We are accustomed to think that those who are engaged in the diplomatic 
service hardly dare to speak definitely on subjects of great public importance; 
but in the speech just delivered by our national representative we have listened 
to statements as strong, as definite, and as hopeful as any that we could hear 
from any other source. 


This is apt criticism and worthy of remembrance in future cases 
of serious public misunderstanding. Whether on account of the 
ambassador’s frank utterance or no—we should be inclined to think 
that it had a most powerful elfect—the organization of the American 
Peace Society proceeded with special enthusiasm, and the member¬ 
ship since the meeting has, been steadily rolling up. Reports of the 
proceedings at this initial meeting, including Mr. O'Brien's speech, 
will also doubtless be sent far afield, and the valuable lesson it con¬ 
veys of the possibility of successfully countering intangible inter¬ 
national resentments with frank diplomatic publicity, so to speak, 
may have a verv valuable effect. 


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